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Can therapy be efficient?
There has been an ongoing discussion as to whether or not talk therapy is beneficial to those that engage in the practice. There is a common concern that therapy is often long term and a waste of time. This is far from the truth.
A therapeutic approach that combats this concern is Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). SFBT takes on a positive approach that focuses on solutions to problems. The counselor typically approaches sessions with an encouraging and supportive framework that allows the client to gain agency over their situation. Because of this approach, this model often lasts between six to 20 sessions long depending on the individual's presenting problem (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2012). This form of therapy can be useful to individuals that are not looking to remain in therapy for an extended amount of time, and simply want to address immediate concerns that they are experiencing.
Further emphasizing the benefits of therapy and it's time efficiency is the emergence of telehealth. Telehealth is the act of providing healthcare remotely through various technological modalities. Telehealth is most often administered via video-conference, which contributes to time effectiveness. This allows participants to join in on sessions at their convenience without having to be concerned with commuting or finding a provider that is close enough or provides the necessary services for the client.
Markowitz et al. (2021) report that virtual therapy services have shown to be beneficial to individuals, than not receiving services at all. Therapy offers an individual insight on ideas, strategies, and solutions that they may not have been aware of before starting. It is a tool to increase one's resilience in order to cope with presenting problems.
Regardless of what form of therapy a client chooses to partake in, there are long term benefits to receiving therapy nonetheless. An individual will learn various coping skills that can support them during difficult times that emerge in life. An example of a healthy coping skill would be positive self-talk. This can be used to replace negative thoughts with positive ones. This can allow a client to access their strengths and encourage self-acceptance and grace during trying times. Another long term benefit is the alleviation of stress. A therapist's role is to assist their client and remind them that they are not suffering alone. Having an alliance with a therapist instills hope and demonstrates to the client that they have someone advocating for their best interest. Because of this partnership between client an therapist, the client is able to reduce stress in knowing they are supported.
Therapy is worth giving a shot, even if it is just used as a tool to gain clarity and insight on immediate issues. One does not have to have a chronic mental disorder or life-altering events occurring in order to benefit from therapy.
Thank you for reading this post, until next time.
